Could America Fall Apart Like the Mayans?

It is late at night and you are speaking to the president on the telephone. He has expressed to you his concerns about the stability of the United States government at the beginning of the New Millennium, and now requests your assistance on some important issues.

An avid student of history, the President is pondering the questions of why so many once-powerful civilizations around the world have vanished. He wants to do everything he possibly can to make sure we don’t repeat the mistakes which led to the demise of earlier civilizations. He is particularly anxious to learn more about the remarkable civilizations like the ancient Maya. If a civilization as powerful and technologically advanced during its time as the Maya could disappear, can the same tragic outcome befall the United States? The President thanks you for your help.